New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-14
MR. ARNOLDS VORD TO AMERICANS.

What is lcarnedly termed in the Commons
the tn quoquc argument may be applied with
destructive effect TO Mr.. Arnolds later IRISH
ESSAYS. He has written two papers this year
for "Thc Nineteenth Century" the second
one appearing in the current number, IN OPP
position to MIR. Gladstones policy OF concllia-
tion, and the most effective reply that can be
made to them is a citation Of his earlier " Irish
Essays published when the Liberals were
supporting without dissent coercion measures
of extreme rigor. Ills views at that time were
so unusual that he apologetically stated in
his preface that he did not expect what
he wrote to be taken seriously, but
be was curious to see how II would
read good many years alter lbs
main contention was that there was nothing
i'm British civilization that was cOngenial 10
the Irish people, and that In order to attach
the island to them sOlidly the English must
adapt themselves TO an alien civilization and
both do and be something different from what
they had done and been hitherto. acquiring as
whole larger and swcetcr temper, larger
and more lucid mind. Cncrring as the fulfil
mcnt of an inspired prophecy came the con-
version Of Mr.. Gladstone and the great body
of the Liberal party to Home Rule Tho mi.
nolity in last years elections recognized the
distinctivcly foreign aspect which English
law and methods of government presented to
Irish eyes, and in sustaining Mr.. Gladstone 5
policy virtually acquired the traits of temper
and mind ON which Mr. Arnold had laid
stress. But alas for the vagaries Of human
genius the prophet himself had experienced
meanwhile change Of heart He invclghcd
bitterly against the gospel Of sweetness and
light of which he had himself been the mes
sepgcr lie could not swallow the medicine
which he had been the first to prescribe; and
he has continued to uphold the old and re-
pulsive formulas of coercion and English rule
for Ireland.
IL is not our purpose to refer in detail to the
views expressed by Mr.. Arnold in what he
states will be his last Irish Essay. lie dis
Gems the weakening of the Government and
considers that its fate will depend upon the
presentation at the next session of an adequate
| land bill, and he is cffusively grateful for the
disappearance Of Mr.. Gladstonc's plan of Home
Rule, putting most elastic construction upon
| Sir George Trevelyan's explanations OF the
| leaders, anticipated concessions. OF the max
| irg of books on Home Rule there is no end and
the subject is becoming very wearisomc to
Americans. 1t will be sufficient comment
upon Mr. Arnold's main argument if we add
| that he himself has answered it in those car
er essays when his temper was larger and
swectcr and his mind larger and more lucid In
dealing with the relations Of England and Ire
land. lie has, however, special word fol
Americans which should not pass unnoticcd
lie says that he always invites them, whcr
they call out for Irish Home Rule, to consider
how they would themselves like to have &
confedcrated South with National Congress
and Executive and its own flag. lie evidently
regards the question as unansweablc.
This is a parallel which Mr.. Bright, Mr.
| Chamberlain, Mr.. Goschen and nearly all tn
coercion leaders have drawn, and it docs no
derive increased force when repeated by thei